Old Ship is proud to announce that the Meeting House Restoration Project completed in 2014 has received a significant award: The 2015 Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Award, given for Restoration and for Stewardship. You may read the full nominating document complete with photos describing the scope of the work done on the project here. Congratulations to everyone who worked on and supported this spectacular project!
|
friends of the old ship meeting houseVisit the Friends of Old Ship web site at www.oldshipfriends.org.
The Friends of Old Ship Meeting House Charitable Trust, (The Friends) is a 501C3 tax exempt organization established in 1971 for the purpose of encouraging non-sectarian public support and funding for the preservation of the Old Ship Meeting House in Hingham, Massachusetts, a National Historic Landmark built in 1681. As stewards of the Meeting House along with First Parish in Hingham, The Friends will develop and manage activities that connect the Meeting House to the public, so that it continues to serve as an inspirational living legacy. Over the years, the Friendship Fund has contributed to a wide variety of Meeting House repairs and preservation projects. A community-wide appeal in 2007 and 2008 enabled the Friendship Fund to contribute $85,000 in matching funds required by a $60,000 grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Fund to re-shingle the Meeting House roof, and repair the belfry and steeple, immediate needs identified in the recently completed historic survey of the Meeting House. The historic 18th century weathervane was removed and restored, as well, with Friendship Funds. The Friends funds have also supported architectural conservation consulting services for preparing bids and supervising preservation projects, and for a system to monitor the 1681 oak structural frame. In 2010, Old Ship Meeting House received a highly competitive $300,000 Save America’s Treasures Grant from the National Park Service and U.S. Department of the Interior. In addition, the Massachusetts Preservation Fund awarded Old Ship $50,000. Both grants were given to finance critical repairs needed to preserve this historic structure for the future, and were only be awarded with matching funds from the community. The Friends worked with First Parish to raise the additional and matching funds of almost $600,000 needed to complete the two-year $1 million restoration project. Currently, the Friends are helping to raise funds to Repair the Steeple on the Meeting House, at a cost of approximately $134,000. It has rotted from the inside, so is not stable enough to support the 1731 weathervane and the lightning rod system. Thanks to major contributions from the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the Greenbush Trust, and Hingham's Community Preservation Act funds, along with donations from concerned citizens, work to repair it will be done in Spring, 2019. Click here to learn more about the 2010-2012 restoration. Click here to help support this matchless treasure of American history. Trustees of the Friends of the Old Ship Meeting House Nina Steele Wellford - President Beverley Vernon - Treasure Elaine Gomez - Clerk Tom Willson Ron Pollara Eileen McIntyre Elizabeth Torrey Mary Ford |
community |